September 23, 2025

No Open Relationship Movies


No Open Relationship Movies
Movie theater. Fernando de Souza, Wikimedia Commons.

On September 17, it was revealed that the Russian Ministry of Culture delayed the distribution license for U.S. actress Dakota John's latest movie, Splitsville, making it impossible to show the rom-com in movie theaters in the country. The permit was withheld likely due to the film's discussion of open relationships.

Splitsville (Нескромные, "Indiscreet" in Russia), centers on a wife, Ashley, who asks her husband, Carey, for a divorce. In despair, Carey runs to Julie and Paul to figure out how to save his marriage, only to find out that having an open relationship keeps his friends' marriage afloat. Carey and Ashley open their relationship, an experiment that soon spirals out of control. The movie premiered on May 19 at the Cannes Film Festival.

The American film was scheduled for release in Russia on September 25. The movie's main cast, Dakota Johnson, Adria Arjona, Kyle Marvin, and Michael Angelo Corvino, gave interviews to the Russian press in preparation for the movie's premiere in the country. However, the licensing for the screening was never issued.

Independent film distributor Arna Media president Nadezhda Motina said, "I think it is a refusal [of the Ministry of Culture]. We don't understand the reasons. I personally saw the film and there is nothing problematic in it." Motina pointed out that similar films are being released in Russia. The film distributor added, "The state will lose R20 million rubles ($239,536) in direct taxes from us on this film alone."

After Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, it faced a boycott from Hollywood's major studios. For the past three years, Russian cinemas have had to get creative on how to show American films. These tactics have included renting their screening rooms to third-party companies that project the movies. However, American films appear to be attempting a return to Russia, and the move has not been welcomed by the Russian government.

In April, the Ministry of Culture denied licensing for Guy Ritchie's World War II-themed movie The Ministry of Ungentlemenly Warfare, starring Henry Cavill. And in July, the Duma passed a bill refusing screening permits to films that "discredit traditional values." That law will officially come into effect in March 2026.

You Might Also Like

FSB's New Treason Trap
  • September 16, 2025

FSB's New Treason Trap

Russia has opened over 100 "light treason" cases in under two years, many born from FSB operations.
Murderer Released or No?
  • September 18, 2025

Murderer Released or No?

Conflicting accounts emerge whether a notorious convicted murder has been released.
Economy in Crisis?
  • September 13, 2025

Economy in Crisis?

A recent report summarized the potentially perilous state of the Russian economy.
A Civic Duty?
  • September 14, 2025

A Civic Duty?

A local Russian leader opened a new kindergarten by calling on citizens to be fruitful and multiply.
Marriage War Scams Grow
  • September 03, 2025

Marriage War Scams Grow

Russian lawmakers push for tougher rules amid reports of women marrying deployed soldiers to collect benefits.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals
[INVALID]
[INVALID]

Some of our Books

Fish
February 01, 2010

Fish

This mesmerizing novel from one of Russia’s most important modern authors traces the life journey of a selfless Russian everywoman. In the wake of the Soviet breakup, inexorable forces drag Vera across the breadth of the Russian empire. Facing a relentless onslaught of human and social trials, she swims against the current of life, countering adversity and pain with compassion and hope, in many ways personifying Mother Russia’s torment and resilience amid the Soviet disintegration.

Survival Russian
February 01, 2009

Survival Russian

Survival Russian is an intensely practical guide to conversational, colloquial and culture-rich Russian. It uses humor, current events and thematically-driven essays to deepen readers’ understanding of Russian language and culture. This enlarged Second Edition of Survival Russian includes over 90 essays and illuminates over 2000 invaluable Russian phrases and words.

Davai! The Russians and Their Vodka
November 01, 2012

Davai! The Russians and Their Vodka

In this comprehensive, quixotic and addictive book, Edwin Trommelen explores all facets of the Russian obsession with vodka. Peering chiefly through the lenses of history and literature, Trommelen offers up an appropriately complex, rich and bittersweet portrait, based on great respect for Russian culture.

The Latchkey Murders
July 01, 2015

The Latchkey Murders

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin is back on the case in this prequel to the popular mystery Murder at the Dacha, in which a serial killer is on the loose in Khrushchev’s Moscow...

93 Untranslatable Russian Words
December 01, 2008

93 Untranslatable Russian Words

Every language has concepts, ideas, words and idioms that are nearly impossible to translate into another language. This book looks at nearly 100 such Russian words and offers paths to their understanding and translation by way of examples from literature and everyday life. Difficult to translate words and concepts are introduced with dictionary definitions, then elucidated with citations from literature, speech and prose, helping the student of Russian comprehend the word/concept in context.

Driving Down Russia's Spine
June 01, 2016

Driving Down Russia's Spine

The story of the epic Spine of Russia trip, intertwining fascinating subject profiles with digressions into historical and cultural themes relevant to understanding modern Russia. 

The Samovar Murders
November 01, 2019

The Samovar Murders

The murder of a poet is always more than a murder. When a famous writer is brutally stabbed on the campus of Moscow’s Lumumba University, the son of a recently deposed African president confesses, and the case assumes political implications that no one wants any part of.

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955